Results from a Mixed Methods Evaluation of Home and Field Contacts in Probation/Parole

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4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

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Home and field contacts with clients are common practice within many probation and parole agencies, yet little is known about how they are conducted, the goals of their use, and whether they impact client outcomes. Abt Associates, together with APPA, has conducted a mixed methods study of home/field contact practices within multiple agencies in three states. To analyze the effectiveness of home/field contacts, a variety of quasi-experimental designs were employed using administrative data. To better understand the activities that make up home/field contacts and the goals behind them within these agencies, officers completed a contact checklist and participated in focus groups. Researchers will present the results of the study and discuss implications of the study findings for probation and parole professionals as well as researchers.